Hey folks! Martha Stewart might be stopping by to take a look at my blog, so let’s tidy up a bit and set out some fresh flowers. Bella, can you keep your barrette in for more than five minutes? Let’s try and make a good first impression, shall we?

Seriously, Martha is having a blog contest. The details are here on her blog. Go check it out!

When he was pulling on my glasses and whining because I wouldn’t let him chew on them, she said, “Use words, Brady!”

We were trying to get him to pull the lever on the Elmo See and Say. When he finally got it, she said, “Good job, Brady!”

Brady was trying really hard to climb up to a standing position to play with the music bench. We kept encouraging him and when he finally made it up, Bella said, “You did it! Yay!”

Yesterday morning was so beautiful. The sun was shining. Dew was sparkling on the freshly mowed grass. There was a crisp chill in the air and a spring in our steps. We were going to see someone special at the bookstore.

Oh, who am I kidding? I was rushing around trying to get there on time. Bella didn’t know why we were going to the book store. She wanted to stay home and color. She dragged her feet, kept pulling out toys—even Cheerios couldn’t bribe her. Finally I reminded her that there was a Thomas train set at the book store. That did it!

When we got there, story time had already started. I tried to get her to sit still. She spied the wall of Sesame Street books and her eyes lit up at seeing all those Elmos! It was just as well. We needed a distraction to make it through the long line to meet that special someone.

I tried to get a photo of her posing, but all she wanted to do was hug him. In fact, she kept sneaking off to hug him again, while other children were waiting their turn. And then she was off to play with the Thomas train set.

We met Christy, Eva, Wendy, Whitney, Baby Simon, Tammy and Lily for the event. Afterward, Christy twisted all of our arms to go eat ice cream. Ice cream! Before lunch!

I thought Curious George would have a bigger effect on her than he did. A few weeks ago we went up to the book store for a quickie visit to meet Clifford. That’s all she could talk about all day, and we had to watch every episode on her Clifford DVD that afternoon (thankfully we only have one DVD!).

Really, the highlight of both trips was the Thomas train set. Have you ever seen it? I think every Barnes and Noble has one in its children’s section. It’s amazing how kids flock to it.

I asked the event organizer if they have ever had Elmo visit. Not only did she say no, she said they hadn’t ever considered it. Amazing, huh? She said she’d look into it. If it happens, I’ll post that hug, too.